In this lab, John Piper reminds us that those who come to a text without humility will only leave with their opinions. But those who come to the Bible to learn will leave with God’s truth.

Some questions to ask as you read and study:

What are the consequences of creating meaning while you read instead of discovering what the author intended?

Watch the lab. Why is it vital for us to understand as readers that there is real, objective existence outside ourselves?

In this lab, John Piper examines the reasoning of one of the Supreme Court rulings concerning abortion. Can you think of any other examples where the distinction discussed in this lab has life or death consequences?

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Principle for Bible Reading

Find Reality

Often, God’s deepest treasures are for those who refuse to stop at an intellectual level but keep digging and praying until they strike the heart of the reality of the text. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you and keep digging until you not only know what the text says, but what the text means — what realities it points to.